Policy alternatives to reduce the health and economic effects of continued asbestos use in the Philippines

OBJECTIVES: Asbestos is a carcinogenic mineral substance formerly used widely in the construction industry, all forms of which, except for chrysotile asbestos, have been banned in the Philippines. This article aims to propose policy alternatives to reduce the health and economic effects of continued asbestos use in the country.METHODS: Records of asbestos-related diseases, and asbestos industry-related data in the country were consolidated. The impact of continued asbestos use on the national economy were estimated incorporating natural mortality, regulations of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and concepts of multiplier effect and net present value. Round table discussions validated data and generated policy recommendations.RESULTS: Filipinos directly and indirectly exposed to asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are 5,289 and 30,000, respectively. The contributions of these groups to the national economy were estimated at PhP 1.08 Billion annually for workers directly exposed to ACMs and PhP 6.83 Billion annually for workers indirectly exposed. Two policy options--adjustment of threshold limit values, and a total ban--are presented.CONCLUSION: A total ban on all forms of asbestos is shown to be the more cost-effective policy option for the country. It is recommended that government agencies, stakeholders in the asbestos industry, and the general public be involved in strategies for improving surveillance on asbestos exposure, increasing public awareness, and promoting the use of asbestos alternatives.

Addressing the tobacco epidemic in the Philippines: progress since ratification of the WHO FCTC.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death, and is estimated to kill more than 5 million persons each year worldwide. Tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke pose a major public health problem in the Philippines. Effective tobacco control policies are enshrined in the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), a legally binding international treaty that was ratified by the Philippines in 2005. Since 2007, Bloomberg Philanthropies has supported the accelerated reduction of tobacco use in many countries, including the Philippines. Progress in the Philippines is discussed with particular emphasis on the period since ratification of the WHO FCTC, and with particular focus on the grants programme funded by the Bloomberg Initiative. Despite considerable progress, significant challenges are identified that must be addressed in future if the social, health and economic burden from the tobacco epidemic is to be alleviated.

L'emploi de tabac est la principale cause évitable de décès et on estime qu'il tue chaque année plus de 5 millions de personnes au niveau mondial. L'utilisation de tabac et l'exposition à la fumée secondaire posent un problème majeur de santé publique aux Philippines. Les politiques efficientes de lutte contre le tabagisme sont garanties dans la Convention Cadre de Lutte contre la Tabagisme (FCTC) de l'Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (OMS), un traité international d'application légale obligatoire qui a été ratifié par les Philippines en 2005. Depuis 2007, Bloomberg Philanthropies a soutenu l'accélération de la réduction de l'utilisation de tabac dans beaucoup de pays, notamment les Philippines. On discute les progrès observés aux Philippines en insistant particulièrement sur la période faisant suite à la ratification de la FCTC de l'OMS et en se focalisant particulièrement sur le programme de dons financé par l'Initiative Bloomberg. En dépit de progrès significatifs, on identifie des défis majeurs auxquels il faut répondre à l'avenir, si l'on veut alléger le fardeau social économique et sanitaire provenant de l'épidémie de tabagisme.

El consumo de tabaco representa la principal causa prevenible de mortalidad y se calcula que provoca la muerte de más de 5 millones de personas cada año en todo el mundo. El tabaquismo y la exposición pasiva al humo del tabaco plantean un problema mayor de salud pública en las Filipinas. El Convenio Marco para el Control del Tabaco (FCTC) de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) consagra las políticas eficaces de control del tabaquismo; este tratado internacional jurídicamente vinculante fue ratificado por las Filipinas en el 2005. Desde el 2007, la iniciativa Bloomberg Philanthropies ha apoyado una disminución acelerada del tabaquismo en muchos países, incluidas las Filipinas. En el presente artículo se examinan los progresos alcanzados en este país, con especial interés en el período posterior a la ratificación del FCTC de la OMS y se hace hincapié en el programa de subsidios financiado por la Iniciativa Bloomberg. Pese a los considerables progresos alcanzados, se destacan retos importantes que exigen una respuesta en el futuro, si se busca aliviar la carga social, sanitaria y económica que representa la epidemia de tabaquismo.